Rear wheel free spin when jacked up

cocheese72 · 12-23-2011, 08:54 AM

How much free spin should there be on the rear wheel mounted with brakes and everything. I can give the front a good spin and it circles a handful of times but the rear does not. The rear will spin in my hand, I can hear some normal brake drag, but if I give it a good spin, it will not really even make a full revolution. I tested with the caliper off and not much changed. I know the rear has a lot more friction and drag on it, so wanted to see if anyone knew about how much it should spin. Does mine sound normal or could I have some binding or bearing issues?

I am getting poor MPG (seems to have dropped 4-5 MPG lately) and been looking around for the culprit.

Latest changes were new 205 (previously 195) tire and bearings. Could it just be winter gas and larger tire causing this.

cactusjack · 12-23-2011, 09:03 AM

You realize when you spin the rear wheel it also turns the final drive gear, which turns the driveshaft? The rear wheel should not be free spinning with all that added drag.

**ringadingh** · 12-23-2011, 09:07 AM

Theres a lot more turning on the back wheel as Scott said, as long as it turns without binding or jamming it should be ok.

cocheese72 · 12-23-2011, 09:09 AM

Yes that's why I made mention of the extra drag and friction. Just wanting to know how much is normal. Does mine sound about right? Less than 1 revolution.

cocheese72 · 12-23-2011, 09:09 AM

Thank Ring. I think I am seeing the diff due to this larger tire and probably gas changes.

**ringadingh** · 12-23-2011, 09:11 AM

That sounds about right.

zoom45 · 12-23-2011, 09:22 AM

The gas mileage on mine has also dropped. Maybe it is the gas.
Zoom45

cocheese72 · 12-23-2011, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoom45

The gas mileage on mine has also dropped. Maybe it is the gas.
Zoom45

I just wasn't sure when they switched over to that winter blend, seems to have started a few weeks ago. I was going to mess with cleaning the K&N, but they say if any of the wire mesh is still showing, that it is fine. So probably no need to waste time on over cleaning that.

VulcanE · 12-23-2011, 10:57 AM

Like the others said, the "free turn" of the rear wheel sounds about right, and with the "winter blend" of gas, along with the cooler temps, your mileage will drop a little. I ride a lot with DKdixie, we fuel up at the same times, travel the same roads/distance, and put in normally the same amount of fuel. My trip meter shows a few less miles than his, so when we calculate mileage, his is 2~3 miles to the gallon better than mine. The only differences are, he runs the 195/60, and I run the 205/60. The 195 is a little smaller in diameter, so there is more revolutions per mile, hence the difference in miles on the trip meter, and with that difference, when calculated, the MPG is going to be better with the 195 than with the 205.

Loafer · 12-23-2011, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VulcanE

Like the others said, the "free turn" of the rear wheel sounds about right, and with the "winter blend" of gas, along with the cooler temps, your mileage will drop a little. I ride a lot with DKdixie, we fuel up at the same times, travel the same roads/distance, and put in normally the same amount of fuel. My trip meter shows a few less miles than his, so when we calculate mileage, his is 2~3 miles to the gallon better than mine. The only differences are, he runs the 195/60, and I run the 205/60. The 195 is a little smaller in diameter, so there is more revolutions per mile, hence the difference in miles on the trip meter, and with that difference, when calculated, the MPG is going to be better with the 195 than with the 205.

That's a great explanation, thanks.

**ringadingh** · 12-23-2011, 11:17 AM

The mileage in my bike really drops in the colder weather, like about 50-60 miles to the tankful. Im lucky to get around 130 miles to the tank when its about 20-30 degrees outside.Thats just the way it is since you get a denser fuel mixture in the cold weather.

**Top Cat** · 12-23-2011, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cocheese72

So probably no need to waste time on over cleaning that.

There is a lot of OVER MAINTENANCE going on on these bikes by a lot of members. Don't let wasting time stop you.

cocheese72 · 12-23-2011, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat

There is a lot of OVER MAINTENANCE going on on these bikes by a lot of members.

I agree. Per owners manual, spark plugs every 7500 miles. gmafb

**ringadingh** · 12-23-2011, 01:24 PM

I had my plugs in the bike for about 35k so far, Im hoping for another couple seasons before they get replaced.

**coacha** · 12-23-2011, 10:49 PM

I cleaned my K&N yesterday...over oiled it because it was the first time I ever did it (about 30K). Oh well, live and learn.

My mileage drops when I ride with Dixie too...cause he goes too dam fast for me, lol.

12-23-2011, 08:54 AM	#1
cocheese72 Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nomad Posts: 524	Rear wheel free spin when jacked up How much free spin should there be on the rear wheel mounted with brakes and everything. I can give the front a good spin and it circles a handful of times but the rear does not. The rear will spin in my hand, I can hear some normal brake drag, but if I give it a good spin, it will not really even make a full revolution. I tested with the caliper off and not much changed. I know the rear has a lot more friction and drag on it, so wanted to see if anyone knew about how much it should spin. Does mine sound normal or could I have some binding or bearing issues? I am getting poor MPG (seems to have dropped 4-5 MPG lately) and been looking around for the culprit. Latest changes were new 205 (previously 195) tire and bearings. Could it just be winter gas and larger tire causing this. __________________ 12 Victory Cross Country 08 Vulcan 900 Custom Login or Register to Remove Ads
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12-23-2011, 09:03 AM	#2
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	You realize when you spin the rear wheel it also turns the final drive gear, which turns the driveshaft? The rear wheel should not be free spinning with all that added drag. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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12-23-2011, 09:07 AM	#3
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Theres a lot more turning on the back wheel as Scott said, as long as it turns without binding or jamming it should be ok. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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12-23-2011, 09:09 AM	#4
cocheese72 Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nomad Posts: 524	Yes that's why I made mention of the extra drag and friction. Just wanting to know how much is normal. Does mine sound about right? Less than 1 revolution. __________________ 12 Victory Cross Country 08 Vulcan 900 Custom
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12-23-2011, 09:09 AM	#5
cocheese72 Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nomad Posts: 524	Thank Ring. I think I am seeing the diff due to this larger tire and probably gas changes. __________________ 12 Victory Cross Country 08 Vulcan 900 Custom Login or Register to Remove Ads
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12-23-2011, 09:11 AM	#6
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	That sounds about right. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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12-23-2011, 09:22 AM	#7
zoom45 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Terry, Mississippi Posts: 1,434	The gas mileage on mine has also dropped. Maybe it is the gas. Zoom45 __________________ Bobby Risher Terry, MS Kawanow member # 124 South Central Group 2000 Nomad 1500 (carbed) 128,000 miles
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12-23-2011, 10:57 AM	#9
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	Like the others said, the "free turn" of the rear wheel sounds about right, and with the "winter blend" of gas, along with the cooler temps, your mileage will drop a little. I ride a lot with DKdixie, we fuel up at the same times, travel the same roads/distance, and put in normally the same amount of fuel. My trip meter shows a few less miles than his, so when we calculate mileage, his is 2~3 miles to the gallon better than mine. The only differences are, he runs the 195/60, and I run the 205/60. The 195 is a little smaller in diameter, so there is more revolutions per mile, hence the difference in miles on the trip meter, and with that difference, when calculated, the MPG is going to be better with the 195 than with the 205. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
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12-23-2011, 11:17 AM	#11
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	The mileage in my bike really drops in the colder weather, like about 50-60 miles to the tankful. Im lucky to get around 130 miles to the tank when its about 20-30 degrees outside.Thats just the way it is since you get a denser fuel mixture in the cold weather. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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12-23-2011, 01:24 PM	#14
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	I had my plugs in the bike for about 35k so far, Im hoping for another couple seasons before they get replaced. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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12-23-2011, 10:49 PM	#15
coacha Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haysville, KS Posts: 6,259	I cleaned my K&N yesterday...over oiled it because it was the first time I ever did it (about 30K). Oh well, live and learn. My mileage drops when I ride with Dixie too...cause he goes too dam fast for me, lol. __________________ Ron "Coach" Allan, Haysville, KS 1999 Nomad Wine and Red "KawaTanker" 2009 BMW R1200RT 2003 BMW K1200LT "Magic Carpet" DOA 11/7/2015 VBA #00291 IBA # 41995 DS #320 '08 Elkins, WV; '09 Helen, GA; '09 Custer, SD; '10 Stanton, VA; '11 Maggie Valley; '12 Townsend, TN; '13 Estes Park; '13 Blairsville, GA; '15 Eureka Springs; '16 Helen; '18 Custer, SD
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